Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature Research Articles

Discovery of the 5 keV Cyclotron Line Followed by Three Harmonics in Swift J1626.6-5156

Abstract We report on observations of the Be/X-ray binary system Swift J1626.6–5156 performed with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) during a short outburst in 2021 March, following its detection by the MAXI monitor and Spektrum–Roentgen–Gamma (SRG) observatory. Our analysis of the broadband X-ray spectrum of the source confirms the presence of two absorption-like features at energies E ∼ 9 and E ∼ 17 keV. These had been previously reported in the literature and interpreted as the fundamental cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) and its first harmonic (based on Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) data). The better sensitivity and energy resolution of NuSTAR, combined with the low-energy coverage of Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), allowed us to detect two additional absorption-like features at E ∼ 4.9 keV and E ∼ 13 keV. Therefore, we conclude that, in total, four cyclotron lines are observed in the spectrum of Swift J1626.6–5156: the fundamental CRSF at E ∼ 4.9 keV and three higher spaced harmonics. This discovery makes Swift J1626.6–5156 the second accreting pulsar, after 4U 0115+63, whose spectrum is characterized by more than three lines of a cyclotronic origin, and implies that the source has the weakest confirmed magnetic field among all X-ray pulsars, B ∼ 4 × 1011 G. This discovery makes Swift J1626.6–5156 one of the prime targets for the upcoming X-ray polarimetry missions covering the soft X-ray band, such as Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP).

On the Spin Period of the Neutron Star in the Ultraluminous X-Ray Source M51 ULX-8

The recent discovery of periodic pulsations from several members of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) family in nearby galaxies as well as in our own galaxy unveiled the nature of the accreting compact object. Neutron stars rather than black holes are currently believed to power a substantial number of ULXs whether or not pulsations are observed. The detection of cyclotron absorption lines in the X-ray spectrum of a ULX provides an alternative way to identify the compact object as a neutron star. Among the non-pulsating ULXs, the presence of a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) in the spectrum of M51 ULX-8 has been reported. In the present work, the magnetic field strength on the surface of the neutron star in M51 ULX-8 is inferred from the energy of the observed CRSF to estimate the beaming fraction in X-ray emission and more importantly the observable range for the elusive neutron-star spin period to be hopefully discovered by the forthcoming space missions in the near future.

OUP accepted manuscript

We present results from timing and spectral analysis of the HMXB X-ray pulsar IGR J19294+1816 observed using \asr during its recent Type-I outburst in October, 2019. AstroSat observations sampled the outburst at the decline phase right after the outburst peak. We carried out timing analysis on the light curves obtained using the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) instrument on board AstroSat and measured a spin period of 12.485065$\pm$0.000015 s. The peak in the power density spectrum (PDS) corresponding to the spin period of 12.48 s also shows a broadened base. We also detected a Quasi Periodic Oscillation (QPO) feature at 0.032$\pm$0.002 Hz with an RMS fractional amplitude of $\sim$18% in the PDS. We further carried out a joint spectral analysis using both the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and the LAXPC instruments and detected a Cyclotron Resonant Scattering Feature (CRSF) at 42.7$\pm$0.9 keV and an Fe emission line at 6.4$\pm$0.1 keV. IGR J19294+1816, being an intermediate spin pulsar, has exhibited a plethora of spectral and timing features during its most recent 2019 outburst, adding it to the list of transients that exhibit both a QPO as well as a CRSF.

New measurements of the cyclotron line energy in Cen X-3

ABSTRACT We report results from the analysis of data from two observations of the accreting binary X-ray pulsar Cen X-3 carried out with the broad-band X-ray observatories Suzaku and NuSTAR. The pulse profile is dominated by a broad single peak and show some energy dependence with two additional weak pulse peaks at energies below 15 and 25 keV, respectively. The broad-band X-ray spectrum for 0.8–60.0 keV for Suzaku and 3.0–60.0 keV for NuSTAR is fitted well with high-energy cut-off power-law model along with soft-excess, multiple iron emission lines and a cyclotron absorption. The cyclotron line energy is found to be $30.29^{+0.68}_{-0.61}$ and $29.22^{+0.28}_{-0.27}$ keV, respectively, in the Suzaku and NuSTAR spectra. We make a comparison of these two measurements with four previous measurements of Cyclotron Resonant Scattering Feature (CRSF) in Cen X-3 obtained with Ginga, BeppoSAX, and RXTE. We find no evidence for a dependence of the CRSF on luminosity. Except for one CRSF measurement with BeppoSAX , the remaining measurements are consistent with a CRSF energy in the range of 29.5–30.0 keV over a luminosity range of 1.1–5.4 × 1037 erg s−1 different from several other sources that show considerable CRSF variation in the same luminosity range.

NuSTAR observation of GRO J1744–28 at low mass accretion rate

Context. Neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries are important systems for studying the physics of accretion onto compact objects. The system GRO J1744–28 is particularly interesting as it usually shows clear pulsations as well as X-ray bursts. Additionally, there are claims for a magnetic field of 5 × 1011 G through the detection of a cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF). Aims. We present the spectral analysis of GRO J1744–28 using ∼29 ks of NuSTAR data taken in 2017 February at a low luminosity of 3.2 × 1036 erg s−1 (3−50 keV). Our goal is to study the variability of the source spectrum with pulse phase and to search for the claimed CRSF. Methods. The continuum spectrum was modeled with an absorbed power law with exponential cutoff, and an additional iron line component. We found no obvious indications for a CRSF, and therefore performed a detailed cyclotron line search using statistical methods. We performed this search on pulse phase-averaged spectra and on phase-resolved spectra. Results. GRO J1744–28 was observed in a low-luminosity state. The previously detected Type II X-ray bursts are absent. Clear pulsations at a period of 2.141124(9) Hz are detected. The pulse profile shows an indication of a secondary peak that was not seen at higher flux. The upper limit for the strength of a CRSF in the 3−20 keV band is 0.07 keV (90% CL), lower than the strength of the line found at higher luminosity. Conclusions. The detection of pulsations shows that the source did not enter the “propeller” regime, even though the source flux of 4.15 × 10−10 erg cm−2 s−1 was almost one order of magnitude below the threshold for the propeller regime claimed in previous studies on this source. The transition into the propeller regime in GRO J1744–28 must therefore be below a luminosity of 3.2 × 1036 erg s−1 (3−50 keV), which implies a surface magnetic field ≲2.9 × 1011 G and mass accretion rate ≲1.7 × 1016 g s−1. A change of the CRSF depth as function of luminosity is not unexpected and has been observed in other sources. This result possibly implies a change in emission geometry as function of mass accretion rate to reduce the depth of the line below our detection limit.

Evolution of timing and spectral characteristics of 4U 1901+03 during its 2019 outburst using the Swift and NuSTAR observatories

ABSTRACT We report the results from a detailed timing and spectral study of a transient X-ray pulsar, 4U 1901+03 during its 2019 outburst. We performed broadband spectroscopy in the 1–70 $\rm keV$ energy band using four observations made with Swift and NuSTAR at different intensity levels. Our timing results reveal the presence of highly variable pulse profiles dependent on both luminosity and energy. Our spectroscopy results showed the presence of a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) at ∼ 30 keV. This feature at 30 keV is highly luminosity and pulse phase dependent. Phase-averaged spectra during the last two observations, made close to the declining phase of the outburst, showed the presence of this feature at around $30~\rm {keV}$. The existence of CRSF at 30 keV during these observations is well supported by an abrupt change in the shape of pulse profiles found close to this energy. We also found that 30 keV feature was significantly detected in the pulse phase-resolved spectra of observations made at relatively high luminosities. Moreover, all spectral fit parameters showed a strong pulse phase dependence. In line with the previous findings, an absorption feature at around $10~\rm {keV}$ is significantly observed in the phase-averaged X-ray spectra of all observations and also showed a strong pulse phase dependence.

Insight-HXMT Firm Detection of the Highest-energy Fundamental Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature in the Spectrum of GRO J1008-57

Abstract We report on the observation of the accreting pulsar GRO J1008-57 performed by Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) at the peak of the source’s 2017 outburst. Pulsations are detected with a spin period of 93.283(1) s. The pulse profile shows double peaks at soft X-rays, and only one peak above 20 keV. The spectrum is well described by the phenomenological models of X-ray pulsars. A cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) is detected with very high statistical significance at a centroid energy of keV, for the reference continuum and line models, HIGHECUT and GABS, respectively. Detection is very robust with respect to different continuum models. The line energy is significantly higher than what is suggested from previous observations, which provided very marginal evidence for the line. This establishes a new record for the centroid energy of a fundamental CRSF observed in accreting pulsars. We also discuss the accretion regime of the source during the Insight-HXMT observation.

Evolution implications of neutron star magnetic fields: inferred from pulsars and cyclotron lines of HMXBs

The evolution of neutron star (NS) magnetic field (B-field) has long been an important topic, which is still not yet settled down. Here, we analyze the NS B-fields inferred by the cyclotron resonance scattering features (CRSFs) for the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and by the magnetic dipole model for the spin-down pulsars. We find that the B-fields of both the 32 NSHMXBs and 28 young pulsars with the supernova remnants follow the log-normal distributions, with the average values of 3.4 * 10^12 G and 4.1 * 10^12 G respectively, which are further verified to come from the same continuous distribution by the statistical tests. These results declaim that the two methods of measuring NS B-fields are reliable for the above two groups of samples. In addition, since the NS-HMXBs have experienced the spin-down phase as the normal pulsars without accretion and then the spin-up phase by accretion, their ages should be about million years (Myrs). Our statistical facts imply that the B-fields of NS-HMXBs have little decayed in their non-accretion spin-down phases of ~ Myrs, as well as in their accretion phases of ~ 0.1Myrs.

The Lense–Thirring timing-accretion plane for ULXs

ABSTRACT Identifying the compact object in ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) has to date required detection of pulsations or a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF), indicating a magnetized neutron star. However, pulsations are observed to be transient and it is plausible that accretion on to the neutron star may have suppressed the surface magnetic field such that pulsations and CRSFs will be entirely absent. We may therefore lack direct means to identify neutron star systems whilst we presently lack an effective means by which to identify black hole ULXs. Here we present a possible method for separating the ULX population by assuming the X-ray, mHz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), and day time-scale periods/QPOs are associated with Lense–Thirring precession of the inflow and outflowing wind, respectively. The precession time-scales combined with the temperature of the soft X-ray component produce planes where the accretor mass enters as a free parameter. Depending on the properties of the wind, use of these planes may be robust to a range in the angular momentum (spin) and, for high accretion rates, essentially independent of the neutron star’s surface dipole field strength. Our model also predicts the mHz QPO frequency and magnitude of the phase lag imprinted due to propagation through the optically thick wind; in the case of NGC 5408 X-1 we subsequently infer a black hole mass and moderate-to-high spin. Finally, we note that observing secular QPO evolution over sufficient baselines may indicate a neutron star, as the precession responds to spin-up which is not readily observable for black hole primaries.

Pulse Phase Variation of the Cyclotron Line in HMXB 4U 1907+09 with AstroSat LAXPC

We present timing and spectral analysis of data from an observation of the High Mass X-ray Binary pulsar 4U 1907+09 with the LAXPC instrument onboard AstroSat. The light curve consisted of a flare at the beginning of the observation, followed by persistent emission. The pulsar continues to spin down, and the pulse profile is found to be double-peaked up to 16 keV with the peaks separated by a phase of $\sim0.45$. Significant energy dependence of the pulse profile is seen with diminishing amplitude of the secondary peak above 16 keV, and increasing amplitude of the main peak upto 40 keV and a sharp decline after that. We confirm earlier detections of the Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature (CRSF) in 4U 1907+09 at $\sim 18.5\pm 0.2$ keV in the phase-averaged spectrum with a high detection significance. An intensity resolved spectral analysis of the initial flare in the light curve shows that the CRSF parameters do not change with a change in luminosity by a factor of 2.6. We also performed pulse phase-resolved spectral analysis with ten independent phase bins. The energy and the strength of the cyclotron line show pulse phase dependence that is in agreement with previous measurements. Two features from the current observation: different energy dependence of the two pulse peaks and a strong CRSF only around the secondary peak, both indicate a deviation from a dipole geometry of the magnetic field of the neutron star, or complex beaming pattern from the two poles.

On the magnetic field in M51 ULX-8

The reported discovery of a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) in the spectrum of M51 ULX-8 may provide an important clue as to the nature of the magnetic field in those ultraluminous X-ray sources hosting neutron stars. In this paper we present the covariance (linearly correlated variability) spectrum of M51 ULX-8 on long (> 2000s) timescales. This allows us to unambiguously decompose the spectrum which requires multiple components in order to explain the broad-band emission. Having a clearer picture of the spectral decomposition leads to various tests for the dipole field strength of the neutron star which can be extended to other ULXs when certain criteria are met. In the case of M51 ULX-8, we rule out a very strong (~10^15 G) dipole solution with either a sub- or super-critical disc. Instead, our tests indicate an upper limit on the dipole field of ~10^12 G, and a classical super-critical inflow, similar to that inferred in other ULXs found to harbour neutron stars, although we do not rule out the presence of an additional, strong (~10^15 G) multipole field falling off steeply with distance from the neutron star.

Long-term evolutions of the cyclotron line energies in Her X-1, Vela X-1, and Cen X-3 as observed with Swift/BAT

We study the long-term evolution of the centroid energy of cyclotron lines – often referered to as cyclotron resonance scattering features (CRSFs) – in Her X-1, Vela X-1, and Cen X-3, using survey observations of the Burst Alert Telescope onboard Swift. We find a significant decrease of the fundamental CRSF energy in Her X-1 and the first harmonic line energy in Vela X-1 since the launch of Swift in 2004 and until 2010 and 2012, respectively. In both sources, the decreases stopped at some time, with a quite stable centroid energy thereafter. Unlike in Her X-1 and Vela X-1, the CRSF energy in Cen X-3 does not show a long-term decrease. It is observed not to change for at least the past 14 yr. The long-term variation of the line energy is a direct way to investigate the magnetic field structure in the polar regions of pulsars. Our results may stimulate the development of theoretical models, especially regarding how the accreted mass accumulates in the accretion mound or how the magnetic field distorts around the polar cap.

Multiple cyclotron line-forming regions in GX 301−2

We present two observations of the high-mass X-ray binary GX 301−2 with NuSTAR, taken at different orbital phases and different luminosities. We find that the continuum is well described by typical phenomenological models, like a very strongly absorbed NPEX model. However, for a statistically acceptable description of the hard X-ray spectrum we require two cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSF), one at ∼35 keV and the other at ∼50 keV. Even though both features strongly overlap, the good resolution and sensitivity of NuSTAR allows us to disentangle them at ≥99.9% significance. This is the first time that two CRSFs have been seen in GX 301−2. We find that the CRSFs are very likely independently formed, as their energies are not harmonically related and, if the observed feature were due to a single line, the deviation from a Gaussian shape would be very large. We compare our results to archival Suzaku data and find that our model also provides a good fit to those data. We study the behavior of the continuum as well as the CRSF parameters as function of pulse phase in seven phase bins. We find that the energy of the 35 keV CRSF varies smoothly as a function of phase, between 30 and 38 keV. To explain this variation, we apply a simple model of the accretion column, taking into account the altitude of the line-forming region, the velocity of the in-falling material, and the resulting relativistic effects. We find that in this model the observed energy variation can be explained as being simply due to a variation of the projected velocity and beaming factor of the line-forming region towards us.

Explaining the asymmetric line profile in Cepheus X-4 with spectral variation across pulse phase

The high mass X-ray binary Cep X-4, during its 2014 outburst, showed evidence for an asymmetric cyclotron line in its hard X-ray spectrum. The 2014 spectrum provides one of the clearest cases of an asymmetric line profile among all studied sources with Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Features (CRSF). We present a phase-resolved analysis of NuSTAR and Suzaku data taken at the peak and during the decline phases of this outburst. We find that the pulse-phased resolved spectra are well-fit by a single, symmetric cyclotron feature. The fit parameters vary strongly with pulse phase: most notably the central energy and depth of the cyclotron feature, the slope of the power-law component, and the absorbing column density. We synthesise a phase averaged spectrum using the best-fit parameters for these individual pulse phases, and find that this combined model spectrum has a similar asymmetry in the cyclotron features as discovered in phase-averaged data. We conclude that the pulse phase resolved analysis with simple symmetric line profiles when combined can explain the asymmetry detected in the phase-averaged data.

Detection of a cyclotron line in SXP 15.3 during its 2017 outburst

ABSTRACT We report the results of AstroSat and NuSTAR observations of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar SXP 15.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud during its outburst in late 2017, when the source reached a luminosity level of ∼1038 erg s−1, close to the Eddington limit. The unprecedented broad-band coverage of the source allowed us to perform timing and spectral analysis between 3 and 80 keV. The pulse profile exhibits a significant energy dependence, and morphs from a double-peaked profile to a single broad pulse at energies >15 keV. This can be explained by a spectral hardening during an intensity dip seen between the two peaks of the pulse profile. We detect a Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature at ∼5 keV in the X-ray spectrum, independent of the choice of the continuum model. This indicates a magnetic field strength of 6 × 1011 G for the neutron star.

A Potential Cyclotron Resonant Scattering Feature in the Ultraluminous X-Ray Source Pulsar NGC 300 ULX1 Seen by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton

Abstract Based on phase-resolved broadband spectroscopy using XMM-Newton and NuSTAR, we report on a potential cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) at E ∼ 13 keV in the pulsed spectrum of the recently discovered ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) pulsar NGC 300 ULX1. If this interpretation is correct, the implied magnetic field of the central neutron star is B ∼ 1012 G (assuming scattering by electrons), similar to that estimated from the observed spin-up of the star, and also similar to known Galactic X-ray pulsars. We discuss the implications of this result for the connection between NGC 300 ULX1 and the other known ULX pulsars, particularly in light of the recent discovery of a likely proton cyclotron line in another ULX, M51 ULX-8.

Changes in the cyclotron line energy on short and long timescales in V 0332+53

We present the results of the pulse-amplitude-resolved spectroscopy of the accreting pulsar V 0332+53 using the NuSTAR observations of the source in 2015 and 2016. We investigate the dependence of the energy of the cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) as a function of X-ray luminosity on timescales comparable with the spin period of the pulsar within individual observations, and the behavior on longer timescales within and between the two observed outbursts. We confirm that in both cases the CRSF energy is negatively correlated with flux at luminosities higher than the critical luminosity and is positively correlated at lower luminosities. We also confirm the recently reported gradual decrease in the line energy during the giant outburst in 2015. Using the NuSTAR data, we find that this decrease was consistent with a linear decay throughout most of the outburst, and flattened or even reversed at the end of the 2015 outburst, approximately simultaneously with the transition to the subcritical regime. We also confirm that by the following outburst in 2016 the line energy rebounded to previous values. The observed behavior of the CRSF energy with time is discussed in terms of changes in the geometry of the CRSF forming region caused by changes in the effective magnetospheric radius.

Looking at A 0535+26 at low luminosities with NuSTAR

We report on two NuSTAR observations of the HMXB A 0535+26 taken toward the end of its normal 2015 outburst at very low $3-50$ keV luminosities of ${\sim}1.4\times10^{36}$ erg/s and ${\sim}5\times10^{35}$ erg/s which are complemented by 9 Swift observations. The data clearly confirm indications seen in earlier data that the source's spectral shape softens as it becomes fainter. The smooth, exponential rollover at high energies present in the first observation evolves to a much more abrupt steepening of the spectrum at $20-30$ keV. The continuum evolution can be well described with emission from a magnetized accretion column, modeled using the compmag model modified by an additional Gaussian emission component for the fainter observation. Between the two observations, the optical depth changes from $0.75\pm0.04$ to $0.56^{+0.01}_{-0.04}$, the electron temperature remains constant, and there is an indication that the column decreases in radius. Since the energy resolved pulse profiles remain virtually unchanged in shape between the two observations, the emission properties of the accretion column, however, reflect the same accretion regime. This conclusion is also confirmed by our result that the energy of the cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) at ${\sim}45$ keV is independent of the luminosity, implying that the magnetic field in the region in which the observed radiation is produced is the same in both observations. Finally, we also constrain the evolution of the continuum parameters with rotational phase of the neutron star. The width of the CRSF could only be constrained for the brighter observation. Based on Monte-Carlo simulations of CRSF formation in single accretion columns, its pulse phase dependence supports a simplified fan beam emission pattern. The evolution of the CRSF width is very similar to that of the CRSF depth, which is in disagreement with expectations.

Timing and Spectral Study of IGR J19294+1816 with the RXTE: The Discovery of Cyclotron Features

Abstract The Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer/Proportional Counter Array (PCA) observations of IGR J19294+1816 covering two outburst episodes are reported. The first outburst happened during MJD 54921-54925 (2009 C.E.), and the second one happened during MJD 55499–55507 (2010 C.E.). In both cases, the PCA observations were made during the decay phase of the outburst, with the source exhibiting a temporal and spectral evolution with the change in flux. At the bright flux level, an absorption feature at 35.5 keV is detected in the spectra, which may be attributed to the Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature corresponding to a magnetic field of Gauss. This is also detected at a lower significance in two other observations. In addition, an Fe line emission at 6.4 keV is prominently detected during the highest flux. X-ray pulsations are detected in 9 out of 10 observations; no pulsations were found in the observation with the lowest flux level. During this observation with the lowest flux, the pulsation phenomenon becomes detectable only at the soft X-ray bands.

Understanding the nature of the intriguing source X Persei: a deep look with a Suzaku observation

We present detailed broadband timing and spectral analysis of the persistent, low luminosity and slowly spinning pulsar X Persei using a deep Suzaku observation of the source. The spectrum is unusually hard with a cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF), the presence of which has been debated. By comparing the spectral models relevant for accretion powered pulsars, we have obtained the best constraint on the broadband spectral model of X Persei obtained so far. The CRSF is not confirmed in the average spectrum. We have also identified, the presence of different intensity levels in the source with distinct changes in the pulse profile and energy spectrum indicating changes in the accretion geometry. We further find evidence of a CRSF in the highest intensity levels at $\sim$ 40 keV, indicating a magnetic field strength of 3.4$\times10^{12}$ G.